Are perovskite solar cells a good option for your roof?

So, let’s wrap this up. Perovskite solar cells are exciting. They promise higher efficiency and potentially lower costs than the silicon solar cells we use today. They could be flexible, lightweight, maybe even transparent. But, and it’s a significant but, they need to last longer, and they aren’t readily available for your roof just yet.

Are perovskite solar panels worth it?

On places like Reddit, you see a mix of excitement and caution. Some users are optimistic about cheap, easy-to-install perovskite solar panels, especially for developing regions, maybe even solar windows. But others rightly point out the lifespan issue compared to traditional silicon solar cells and say the tech needs more time to prove itself.

How much do perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells cost?

A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggested US-made perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells could be produced around $0.35/W. The global solar market for perovskites is expected to grow massively, reaching billions by 2032, suggesting prices should become more competitive as production ramps up.

How much does perovskite fabrication cost?

Without the need for the controlled vacuum environments of gas/vapour deposition or even worse, high-vacuum for plasma doping, operating costs for perovskite fabrication can be kept low while keeping throughput high. For example, even very unoptimized small batch fabrication costs below $40 USD/ m^2.

Is perovskite solar a good choice for Canada?

While standard silicon solar is the go-to choice today for proven reliability, efficient perovskite solar tech holds enormous potential to shake up the solar market. It could become a vital part of Canada’s clean energy future, making solar power even more accessible and effective.

Why should you choose a perovskite solar module?

Higher efficiency directly translates to needing less space. If a perovskite solar module is more efficient, you can generate the same amount of power with fewer panels, which is great for smaller roofs or urban areas. Qcells’ tandem cell work is a good example – boosting power per square meter.